Pohnpeian

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A language of Micronesia

ISO 639-3
pon
Alternate Names
Ponapean
Autonym
Pohnpei
User Population

29,000 in Micronesia (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). 24,000 on Pohnpei, 3,430 on outer islands, 280 elsewhere. Total users in all countries: 32,530.

Location

Pohnpei: Caroline Islands; Pohnpei island.

Language Maps
Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Pohnpei (1984, Pohnpei State Constitution, Article 13(1)).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Pohnpeic
Dialects

Kiti, Ponapean, Sapwuahfik. Lexical similarity: 81% with Pingelapese [pif], 75% with Mokilese [mkj], 36% with Chuukese [chk].

Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all. Used as L2 by Mokilese [mkj], Ngatik Men’s Creole [ngm], Nukuoro [nkr], Pingelapese [pif].

Language Development

Taught in all primary schools in Pohnpei state. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1994.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pohnpeian
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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